Ethnobiology of The Pahari (A case study of Badikhel VDC of Lalitpur district)
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Department of Zoology
Abstract
The Pahari are one of the marginalized indigenous groups, spread out in
different parts of Nepal but this particular study is on the people inhabiting
Badikhel VDC of Lalitpur district. Historically, they make extensive use of locally
available plants and animals for fulfilling their basic needs. The study is carried out
to document the plants and animals being used in various ways by the Pahari. To
meet the intended objectives, field visits were carried out and the ethnobiological
data were collected through observation, participation and interviews with the local
people and other knowledgeable people.
The study reveals that the Pahari make use of 38 species of animals-both
wild and domestic. They use different 284 plants species both wild and cultivated
as food, medicines, timber, fuel, wood, fibre and for different rituals. They use 8
different animal species to treat 7 ailments/diseases and 80 different plant species
to treat 31 ailments and diseases. Despite their knowledge about local biodiversity,
they tend to overexploit the natural resources because of their ignorance and
poverty. As such, the local Pahari peoples’ activities are responsible for the
depletion of the surrounding biodiversity.
Finally some recommendations regarding the conservation of the cultural
and biological diversity have been made for relevant individuals and agencies for
wise and proper use of resources to encourage sustainable use to meet the national
mandate of sustainable development.
Key words: Pahari, indigenous knowledge, Ethnobiology